What should be the ontology for the Standard Model?

TL;DR

This paper discusses an alternative particle-string ontology for the Standard Model, which offers intuitive explanations for gauge symmetry and reduces redundant configurations compared to the traditional field formulation.

Contribution

It introduces a particle-string formulation of the Standard Model, providing a more intuitive and economical ontology that clarifies gauge symmetry and simplifies the theoretical framework.

Findings

Particle-string formulation offers an intuitive explanation for gauge symmetry.

This formulation reduces redundant path integral configurations.

It may be preferred over the traditional field ontology for the Standard Model.

Abstract

Although the Standard Model of particle physics is usually formulated in terms of fields, it can be equivalently formulated in terms of particles and strings. In this picture particles and open strings are always coupled. This offers an intuitive and graphical explanation for the otherwise mysterious gauge symmetry. In addition, the particle-string formulation avoids introducing redundant path integral configurations that are present in the field formulation. For its explanatory power and economy, the particle-string ontology may be preferred over the field ontology for the Standard Model.